What does the bolt pick-and-place system do?

It automatically assembles two components using bolts: a Cartesian gantry positions the tool head in X and Y while a rack-and-pinion-driven Z-axis performs the pick and place. The system was designed by Ewan Wills to prioritise repeatability, throughput, and mechanical simplicity.

Why a Cartesian gantry rather than a robot arm?

For repetitive assembly over a fixed rectangular workspace, a Cartesian gantry is mechanically simpler, cheaper, and more repeatable than an articulated arm. Simplicity was a design goal: fewer joints means fewer sources of positioning error and less maintenance.

Who designs automated assembly systems like this in the UK?

Ewan Wills is a UK-based freelance product designer specialising in robotics and automation — motion systems, gantries, and controls — offering end-to-end product development from concept and prototype to design for manufacture and supplier handoff.

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Case study · By Ewan Wills, freelance product designer · UK · Last updated 2026-07-03

Automation · Robotics · Doc EW-CS-03

Bolt pick & place.

An automated system that assembles two components using bolts: a Cartesian gantry for X–Y positioning and a rack-and-pinion-driven Z-axis for the pick and the place. Designed for repeatability, throughput, and mechanical simplicity.

Watch it run ↗ Project facts

Automated bolt pick-and-place system with Cartesian gantry, by Ewan Wills

Sht 02 — Project facts

What was the goal?

ProductAutomated bolt pick-and-place that assembles two components without operator intervention.

ArchitectureCartesian gantry (X–Y) with a rack-and-pinion-driven Z-axis.

PrioritiesRepeatability · Throughput · Mechanical simplicity

DisciplinesMechanical design · Motion systems · Software

EvidenceWorking demonstration video: pick-and-place video (YouTube)

DesignerEwan Wills

Sht 03 — Design choices

Why this architecture?

Cartesian over articulated

For repetitive assembly over a fixed rectangular workspace, a gantry is simpler, cheaper, and more repeatable than a robot arm — fewer joints, fewer error sources.

ii.

Rack-and-pinion Z

A rack-and-pinion drive gives the Z-axis a long, fast stroke with consistent engagement — suited to the repeated pick/place cycle.

iii.

Simplicity as a spec

Mechanical simplicity was treated as a requirement, not a compromise: fewer parts to make, fewer to align, fewer to maintain — the same DFM thinking the studio applies to client automation.

Sht 04 — Frequently asked questions

Quick answers.

What does the bolt pick-and-place system do?: It automatically assembles two components using bolts: a Cartesian gantry positions the tool head in X and Y while a rack-and-pinion-driven Z-axis performs the pick and place. The system was designed by Ewan Wills to prioritise repeatability, throughput, and mechanical simplicity.
Why a Cartesian gantry rather than a robot arm?: For repetitive assembly over a fixed rectangular workspace, a Cartesian gantry is mechanically simpler, cheaper, and more repeatable than an articulated arm. Simplicity was a design goal: fewer joints means fewer sources of positioning error and less maintenance.
Who designs automated assembly systems like this in the UK?: Ewan Wills is a UK-based freelance product designer specialising in robotics and automation — motion systems, gantries, and controls — offering end-to-end product development from concept and prototype to design for manufacture and supplier handoff.

Sht 05 — Related

More automation work.

This system is one of several robotics and automation projects by Ewan Wills, a UK product design studio. Related case studies: MiniCapper lab-automation device, DIY CNC milling machine for aluminium, and the in-ear vital sign monitor.